Bernie Sanders (I-VT)
Green New Deal for Public Housing Act
A bill from an independent · See all 6 cosponsors
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Green New Deal for Public Housing Act aims to modernize the nation's public housing through energy efficiency and workforce development. The bill establishes grant programs to rehabilitate distressed housing, upgrade infrastructure, and transition to zero-carbon homes. It seeks to improve living standards by providing cutting-edge materials and all-electric appliances made in the United States. Additionally, the Act promotes economic empowerment by providing training, jobs, and support for resident-owned businesses. The goal is to modernize the entire public housing stock into highly energy-efficient homes that meet their own energy needs. Finally, it emphasizes community involvement through the establishment of resident councils.
Yes· 3 of 30
- Scored +9
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?
The bill directly targets improving living standards, energy costs, and job opportunities for low-income residents.
- Scored +9
Does this cut the pollution that drives climate change?
The bill mandates a transition to zero-carbon homes and renewable energy generation within 10 years.
- Scored +8
Does this make housing cost less?
The bill aims to rehabilitate, modernize, and preserve public housing to ensure it remains a sustainable safety net.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Improved Living Standards and Safety: The bill aims to rehabilitate public housing that is severely distressed to prevent residents from being exposed to unhealthy and unsafe environments (Section 2). It also provides for upgrades to water quality, such as replacing pipes to address lead, arsenic, and other contaminants (Section 6).
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Economic Empowerment and Job Training: Grant programs are established to facilitate workforce development, providing career skills, apprenticeships, and technical assistance (Section 6). This includes specific opportunities for local low- and very low-income individuals who were formerly incarcerated (Section 6).
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Energy Savings and Resilience: The Act intends to transition homes into highly energy-efficient, zero-carbon dwellings (Section 2). It includes provisions for community energy generation, such as renewable energy rooftops and storage systems to provide energy backup during emergencies or disasters (Section 6).
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Support for Resident Businesses: The bill provides technical assistance and resources to help subsidized housing resident-owned businesses access government procurement and contracting opportunities (Section 6).
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Community Engagement and Voice: The Act promotes tenant participation and the formation of resident councils to improve quality of life and allow residents to advise on project operations (Section 9).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Displacement and Instability: The process of rehabilitation, modernization, or new construction may cause residents to be temporarily displaced from their homes (Section 6, Section 6(e)).
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Requirement for Transition: To receive grants, eligible entities must commit to transitioning all managed public housing into zero-carbon homes within 10 years (Section 6(b)(1)(A)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — The bill directly targets improving living standards, energy costs, and job opportunities for low-income residents. Would Native Americans be better off under this? — The bill explicitly includes Indian tribes and tribally designated housing entities as eligible entities. Would people with disabilities be better off under this? — The bill mandates upgrades to comply with ADA standards and includes community services for individuals with disabilities. Would union members be better off under this? — The bill emphasizes labor-management partnerships and protects labor organizing rights. Would people in cities be better off under this? — The bill focuses on modernizing urban public housing and improving neighborhood environments. Would business owners be better off under this? — The bill supports resident-owned businesses through technical assistance and procurement opportunities. Would retired people be better off under this? — The bill supports community-based services and stability for older adults. Would people over 65 be better off under this? — The bill includes provisions for senior centers and community-based services. Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this? — The bill provides job training and career development opportunities. Would children be better off under this? — The bill improves living environments and includes childcare support. Would students be better off under this? — The bill provides training and educational opportunities for residents.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this make housing cost less? — The bill aims to rehabilitate, modernize, and preserve public housing to ensure it remains a sustainable safety net. Does this expand the rights of people with disabilities? — The bill requires upgrades to ensure compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act standards. Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — The bill creates economic opportunities and workforce training for low-income individuals. Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated? — The bill targets environmental justice communities and provides opportunities for low-income individuals and people of color. Does this make child care cost less? — The bill funds the construction of childcare centers within public housing developments. Is this likely to reduce homelessness? — By preserving and upgrading public housing, the bill helps prevent housing instability.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this cut the pollution that drives climate change? — The bill mandates a transition to zero-carbon homes and renewable energy generation within 10 years. Does this put more money into wind, solar and other renewable power? — The bill funds solar, wind, and other renewable energy infrastructure for public housing. Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — The bill includes upgrades to water quality and air quality to improve environmental health in public housing. Does this improve help for people hit by a disaster? — The bill provides energy storage to ensure power backup during emergencies or disasters. Does this improve buses, trains and other public transport? — The bill includes infrastructure for bicycle transportation and electric vehicle charging.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this make it easier to run a small business? — The bill provides technical assistance and resources to help subsidized housing resident-owned businesses access government procurement. Is this likely to create jobs? — The bill establishes grant programs for workforce development, apprenticeships, and job training specifically for public housing residents. Does this strengthen the rights of workers to organise? — The bill promotes labor-management partnerships and includes protections for labor organizing and collective bargaining. Is this likely to grow the economy? — The bill stimulates economic activity through large-scale infrastructure modernization and support for resident-owned businesses.
- Education And Technology
- Does this get reliable internet to more people? — The bill funds the installation of high-speed internet in public housing developments.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill requires regular reporting of impacts and data to Congress. Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill increases federal oversight through grant requirements and reporting mandates.
- Healthcare
- Does this make health care easier to get in general? — The bill supports the establishment of healthcare clinics within public housing developments.
- 8/6/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
- 6 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Richard BlumenthalDemocrat · Connecticut
Cory BookerDemocrat · New Jersey
Edward MarkeyDemocrat · Massachusetts
Jeff MerkleyDemocrat · Oregon
Alex PadillaDemocrat · California
Peter WelchDemocrat · Vermont